Cleveland Browns notes: Team releases first depth chart

Browns coach Mike Pettine revealed his first depth chart — because he had to — and listed Brian Hoyer as the starting quarterback for the preseason opener in Detroit on Aug. 9.
In other notable battles, John Greco is listed as the starting right guard ahead of Garrett Gilkey, Ben Tate is starting at running back ahead of Terrance West, Craig Robertson is ahead of Chris Kirksey at inside linebacker and Paul Kruger is ahead of Jabaal Sheard at outside linebacker.
“I did it because I had to do it,” Pettine said after practice Aug. 5. “At a lot of positions, we would have just slashed guys (listed two starters). It’s very loose in our minds. I wouldn’t put a lot of credence in that. It will be very fluid, and there will likely be changes after every week.”
Hoyer was back with the first-team offense after playing with the second team a day earlier. Johnny Manziel was with the second team Aug. 5. Despite that and the fact Hoyer is listed first on the depth chart, Pettine would not commit to starting Hoyer against the Lions.
On Aug. 4, he said he was leaning toward starting Hoyer.
“We’re going to meet on that with the whole (group),” Pettine said. “We’re going to set the reps. I can’t say anything definitive right now.”
Hoyer won twice in the best-of-five competition period during which the offense had to move the ball 20 yards against the defense. Hoyer completed a 17-yard pass to Josh Gordon on his first opportunity on the fifth play of the possession. After Manziel went three-and-out and Tyler Thigpen threw an interception, Hoyer hooked up with Gordon for 25 yards on one play.

Manziel got his second opportunity with the offense having won twice and the defense having won twice. Manziel was stopped so the defense will wear the symbolic orange jerseys Aug. 6, but despite that Manziel had a fine practice. He went 4-for-4 in one session highlighted by a rollout to the right and a 15-yard completion to Nate Burleson. He also connected with Gordon on a 15-yard pass over the middle.
“I was glad that the guys responded the way they did,” Pettine said, referring to the entire team.
“This is a stretch of camp where you’re tired of going against each other. Everybody is sore, and everybody has something going on. We’ve been urging our guys to go through it, to press on. We have to get better. We can’t come out and just put days in and coast and just start looking forward to the preseason games.”Counting on Gordon
Gordon is listed first at one receiver spot on the depth chart and will play against the Lions if he is not suspended before Aug. 9. His appeal of a year-long suspension for testing positive for marijuana concluded Aug. 4.
“It’s been reported it’ll be a chunk of time (until a decision is announced),” Pettine said. “We just don’t know when. We don’t have an exact date.
“As frustrating as it is for Josh, I think he’s handled it well. He’s been practicing hard, giving good effort, finishing plays. Assuming if we don’t hear anything, then he’ll be out there Saturday.”
Miles Austin is listed as the other starting receiver.Roster moves
The Browns waived defensive back Darwin Cook. They signed tight end Kyle Auffray, linebacker Keith Pough, wide receiver Tim Smith and tight end Martell Webb. Webb is the only rookie in the group. None among the other three has played in an NFL game.Injury update
Tight end Jordan Cameron (shoulder), linebacker Tank Carder (foot), tight end Jim Dray (shoulder), offensive tackle Reid Fragel (lower leg) and offensive lineman Randall Harris (knee) did not practice Aug. 5. Offensive lineman Nate McDonald (wrist) remains on the non-football injury list.